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Original poster

...to thank everyone who donates to Food Banks?

304 replies

PinkyandtheBrainyOne · 02/05/2017 20:25

I mean obviously, I'm not, but I just wanted to say a big thank you to anyone who has donated in the past.

My partner and I were out of work at the end of last year and were waiting for our benefits to kick in. We visited and were provided with bags of lovely food - all manner of treats which put a big smile on our faces.

But, that's only half of my story. The week before Christmas, things were very tight. We hadn't bought each other presents and were planning on just having a microwavable roast dinner to celebrate Christmas. We had to keep things cheap. And then we got a phone call...

Apparently we had entered a prize draw and won a food hamper, and they were wondering if they could drop it round that evening. We were very grateful; but we hadn't entered any draw. It was obvious that it was a treat from the food bank, described to spare our feelings and it meant the world to us.

Inside were selection boxes and Roses and Celebrations, all kinds of chocolate. Yule Logs and Rice Pudding. Hot Chocolate, as well as the usual staples you'll find in a food bank parcel. It's no exaggeration to say that we both had a little weep at how fortunate we were.

Eventually we both found work and things seem to be, if not comfortable, manageable. I'm pretty late posting this, but was reading an article about Food Banks and remembered and wanted to say, thank you. :)

OP posts:
rightsofwomen · 03/05/2017 20:33

willow we have clients coming back time and time again, they know that with the £ they have they can pay for gas, elec, top up phone (necessary if having to show you're looking for work), transport costs (as above) etc and that the food bank will tide them over till the next payment. What crappy choices to have to make, eh.

BizzyFizzy · 03/05/2017 20:36

If people have job or benefit income and still can't cope, they need help beyond an foodbank. They need debt/budgeting advice, for example, which they can often get via a foodbank, even if they don't qualify for food vouchers.

witsender · 03/05/2017 20:38

Sadly the majority of foodbank users come to us due to low income, not just specific crises. Statistically speaking. You only have to look at posts on here to see the site straights many are in, there is a section of society for whom there just isn't enough money. And without reform, that is unlikely to change.

noeffingidea · 03/05/2017 20:42

bizzy there is such a thing as falling through the gaps you know, like being sanctioned or delays in claims being processed.
I needed to use one, I sure as hell don't need advice on how to budget. Keeping myself and my teenage daughter on £40/ week for food and electric in the coldest weather taught me a lot about that.

noeffingidea · 03/05/2017 20:44

Sorry bizzy I think I adressed my post to the wrong poster. I've lost track of the thread now.

expatinscotland · 03/05/2017 20:45

One poster had a 'mandatory reconsideration' of her tax credits and was left completely cut off from them for months. No amount of budgeting was going to make up that shortfall and she was unable to through work as she had no childcare and no credits to pay them. Yes, you can appeal, but that takes time, too

blowawayblonde · 03/05/2017 20:49

Well that's me doing a shop to deliver to the local one tomorrow.

Thanks o and Flowers for the reminder, OP. Xx

HelenaDove · 03/05/2017 20:50

Donated cereals sanitary towels and shampoo today.

Bizzy Many single people on JSA have to pay some of their council tax now.

Once gas water electric and internet (which they need for jobsearch and dont give me the libraries argument because many are closing/have closed) is budgeted for there is very little to spare to buy food.

TitsalinaBumSquash · 03/05/2017 20:53

I'm glad it helped you OP Smile everytime I do a 'big shop' (once a month usually) I buy one of everything on the list they give you at the door of our local Tesco, I always get the kids
to chose a few treats to put in there.
I've done the whole feeding a family on £9 a week thing and I would have chewed someone's arm off for a food bank offer so I will happily add £20 onto my shop to help another family or 2 out.
At Christmas I do a bigger online shop and get it delivered to them instead on twitching and buying the kids more presents. Grin

Willowtree7 · 03/05/2017 20:59

I was thinking more along bizzys lines. Some people are in true crisis & that is different. I get how you need help when sh1t happens. But... i still wonder how many people accessing food banks do so because of budgeting difficulties & not knowing what is priority food. I.e fizzy pop, ketchup, cereal, crisps etc. Children do not need these things. Or having money for luxuries that have become accepted as things that are normal to own.

I think most supermarkets do some cheap food btw i didnt literally mean aldi. I do think some people have never been taught to cook & budget & that is the real necessity.

HelenaDove · 03/05/2017 21:10

Willow im a full time carer for my DH He is 23 years my senior and is on state pension.

He has ischemic heart disease emphysema and arthritis.

When he isnt around any more i fully expect to be thrown into this situation.

Many years ago i was obese and lost 10 stone going from 21 stone down to 11.
I regained 4 stone of this after DHs massive heart attack which caused his health issues. I was busy caring for him you see.

Once we settled into a routine i lost that 4 stone regain but it took 3 and a half years.

I wanted to make damn sure the weight came off so i can look as attractive as possible.

Because after i lose DH i want the option of entering a certain industry if i have too.

Especially if the alternative is sanctions zero hours contracts and food banks.

KP86 · 03/05/2017 21:14

Thank you to the person who posted about ocado allowing donations in your online shop. Will do that from now on when I find myself just short of the minimum spend.

I also donate to my local borough's food bank via PayPal each month. A small amount that doesn't affect my family yet might make all the difference to someone else. I'm grateful to be in a position to do it.

April229 · 03/05/2017 21:20

I love this thread I'm a regular donator, but a massive over thinker when it comes to choosing items. I normally stick to what's asked for on the side of the bank and throw in some fun things for kids but I often wonder if it actually helps.

witsender · 03/05/2017 21:26

It does April. Smile

expatinscotland · 03/05/2017 21:28

'But... i still wonder how many people accessing food banks do so because of budgeting difficulties & not knowing what is priority food. I.e fizzy pop, ketchup, cereal, crisps etc. Children do not need these things. Or having money for luxuries that have become accepted as things that ar'

You do? You really begrudge people who go to a fucking foodbank that much? You truly believe such Victorian narrow-minded bullshit? Wow. The mind boggles.

BizzyFizzy · 03/05/2017 21:28

If you are wondering what to donate, just give what the foodbank asks for. They know their clients.

Treats aren't usually a big priority, however good it makes you feel. Nutrition is what counts. If you are giving to a place that is more targeted to refuges, you have to keep in mind the cooking facilities they might have (microwave and kettle) and so give things like canned Spam and tuna fish, as protein is a top priority.

Talk to the food bank and ask them what they need.

witsender · 03/05/2017 21:32

Treats are massively important, nutrition isn't everything!

witsender · 03/05/2017 21:33

As has been indicated by the Foodbank clients on this very post.

0dfod · 03/05/2017 21:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MrsHathaway · 03/05/2017 21:47

You do? You really begrudge people who go to a fucking foodbank that much? You truly believe such Victorian narrow-minded bullshit? Wow. The mind boggles

It feels a bit like saying to someone:

"Lost your job? Well, shit. You should have saved up while you were still employed. No, you can't have any JSA while you look for a new job. You should have planned better."

As pp pointed out, food banks can be a route to other help with such niceties as budgeting and food planning. But neither of those is particularly helpful to someone who needs three days' food NOW please.

Back to the point about "typical food bank user" I guess I kind of think of it as that there are enough food bank users with issues around facilities or fuel that low-fuel/equipment foods are a good safe bet useful to just about everyone. If you're a genuinely temporary user (the image of someone with the odd stock cube in a kitchen full of pans but no substantial food to cook) then you can still be nourished by a tin of chicken curry, say, because it's for three days at a time.

I think if we were talking about giving food donations longer term, say if one were putting together a box for a family every week for a year, then you'd think more about balanced diet and increasing skills and so on, but for three measly days it's about calories, satiety and comfort.

I will never get out of my head the story Jack Monroe tells (and yes I know she isn't universally popular) of giving her son the last bit of food in the house, one Weetabix with water because there wasn't any milk, and going hungry herself, and when he finishes he looks at her hopefully and asks for a jam sandwich IIRC and it's just impossible. So yeah, we put jam in the food bank box too. And the stupid 500g bags of sugar that you'd never buy yourself because they're uneconomical.

MrsHathaway · 03/05/2017 21:48

"Poverty is the sinking feeling when your small boy finishes his one Weetabix and says: 'More, Mummy, bread and jam please, Mummy,' as you're wondering whether to take the TV or the guitar to the pawnshop first, and how to tell him that there is no bread or jam," she wrote.

See old article here.

KP86 · 03/05/2017 21:55

MrsHathaway, that is really heartbreaking to read - I think I've seen the story before as well.

I wish we didn't need food banks.

Lokisglowstickofdestiny · 03/05/2017 21:58

As a food bank volunteer I can say we get people with varying reasons needing our assistance, benefit sanctions, low income, homelessness. We have had on several occasions made up boxes of food to give to the local PCSO to take to people living rough who have a little camping stove to cook on.
As far as donations are concerned, toiletries are very welcome, sanpro, toothbrushes and paste, deodorant . Also loo roll, washing up liquid and nappies.

Pradaqueen · 03/05/2017 22:03

Thank you OP. I didn't know about the Ocado donation programme and I am a looooong time customer of theirs! I also donate Sanitary Towels and Tampons since watching 'I Daniel Blake'. I will now donate Hot Water bottles (thank you to that poster) and stop stuff that requires a long cooking time. I am embarrassed I hadn't worked that out for myself.

LorelaiLeighGilmore · 03/05/2017 22:05

First ever post that made me cry. Food banks are indeed wonderful - yes we should not need them but unfortunately some people do, and it's really heartwarming to know you managed to celebrate Christmas in a nicer way than you expected. I work with food banks and they work tirelessly to help people. A lovely story OP. I hope you're back on your feet now.

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